OIED Centers Provide Support for Students

Nubian Message Editor • August 20, 2016

Yerson Padilla, a senior studying women and gender studies, works at a table in the Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) Center on the fourth floor in Talley Student Union on August 8, 2016. The MSA Center provides programs for students, with a focus on African American, Native American and Hispanic students, that help them expand their cultural horizon and succeed academically, professionally and personally at NC State.

Keilah Davis| Correspondent

The Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity (OIED) is a university office committed to fostering an inclusive community at NC State. OIED provides guidance, programming, and outreach through four centers: the African American Cultural Center, Multicultural Student Affairs, Women’s Center, and GLBT Center.

African American Cultural Center

“As the African American Cultural Center (AACC) celebrates 25 years of educating and serving the NC State University community, one of our goals is to honor the contributions of Dr. Augustus M. Witherspoon and Dr. Lawrence M. Clark in an intentional and spectacular way,” said Toni “Mama” Thorpe, AACC program coordinator.

AACC’s mission is to provide educational events, cultural activities, leadership initiatives, advocacy, outreach and comprehensive programming focused on African American and cultures of African descent. AACC offers on-site counseling in conjunction with the Counseling Center, the Library has a collection of more than 7000 items, the Art Gallery hosts 4-6 shows per academic year including a student show, and more. AACC provides volunteer opportunities via the AYA Ambassadors, program assistants, undergraduate work-study, graduate intern and graduate assistant positions.

Multicultural Student Affairs

Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) is housed in Talley Student Union Suite 4261. MSA is collaborating with many campus partners to offer exciting new programming, events and services this year. Some of these programs include Peer Mentor Program, Student Success Series and Freshman Honors Convocation. To find more information about programs and events, please visit the MSA website (http://oied.ncsu.edu/MSA), Twitter (@NCState_MSA), Instagram (@ncstatemsa) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/NCSUMulticultural).

“You are the reason we are all here and we want to help you to continue to excel academically and professionally. As we begin the 2016-2017 academic year, we challenge you to open your head, heart and eyes to new experiences and take advantage of all that our campus has to offer,” said Dr. Jennifer Brown, interim director of MSA.

Women’s Center

The NC State Women’s Center is a catalyst and resource that advances gender equity and social justice through education, advocacy, and leadership for the campus community. Contrary to the title, the Women’s Center is open and welcoming to everyone. The Women’s Center sees gender on a continuum and champions gender equity and promotes respect for all.

This year the Women’s Center is rolling out some new programming initiatives including a fall film series and monthly Lunch and Learn opportunities. In addition, the Women’s Center is piloting a new Action Team Initiative which will give students the opportunity to engage in dialogue about gender equity issues while also creating opportunity for action. As a center that supports students in all ways, the Women’s Center has also rebranded and is launching a new Sexual Assault Helpline (919-515-4444). Center staff are available to provide advocacy services to survivors of all forms of interpersonal violence, 24 Hours a day.

The Women’s Center is located in suite 5210 on the fifth floor of Talley Student Union.

The Women's Center, located on the fifth floor of Talley Student union, is a resource for NC State students and faculty to advance social justice and gender equality. They — **Bryan Murphy**| Photo Editor The Women’s Center, located on the fifth floor of Talley Student union, is a resource for NC State students and faculty to advance social justice and gender equality.

GLBT Center

The GLBT Center serves students of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, queer, transgender, genderqueer, gender fluid, gender non-conforming, non-binary, agender, intersex and questioning students and their allies. The GLBT Center supports six student organizations: (1) the GLBT Community Alliance (a weekly group for GLBT+ students and their allies), (2) oSTEM (a bimonthly group for GLBT+ STEM majors), (3) QPOC (a bimonthly group for GLBT+ students of color), (4) T-Files (a bimonthly group for transgender, gender non-conforming and non-binary students), (5) AcePack (a bimonthly group for asexual and aromantic students), and (6) Bi/Pan @ NCSU (a bimonthly group for bisexual and pansexual students). The GLBT Center hosts events throughout the year, including GLBT History Month in October, Trans Awareness Week in November, Social Justice January, and Week of Action in March. The GLBT Center also coordinates a Volunteer, Internship and Practicum (VIP Program) that allows students to complete for-credit internships or to volunteer in the GLBT Center. Finally, the GLBT Center hosts an Alternative Service Break (ASB) Trip to San Francisco each spring break to allow students to learn about intersectionality and social justice.

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